Low Cost Stabilizer to Improve Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY:

Lithium Sulfur rechargeable batteries for

Electric vehicles
Consumer electronic devices

ADVANTAGES:

Enables reliable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries
Extends Li-S battery lifetime
Economic, readily-available material

ABSTRACT:

Researchers at Berkeley Lab led by Gao Liu have found that carrageenan, a seaweed derivative, acts as a stabilizer in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The researchers determined that the naturally-occurring material works as well as a synthetic polymer to buffer the polysulfide shuttle effect typical of Li-S batteries and, instead, maintain the integrity of the sulfur electrode to improve electrochemical performance.

For details, see the publication linked here and below.

Lithium-sulfur batteries have the potential to offer higher energy capacity than lithium-ion batteries at a lower cost. However, sulfur cathodes in Li-S batteries suffer from poor cyclability and low conductivity due to the polysulfide shuttling effect. The Berkeley Lab technology applies an advanced material approach to help Li-S batteries achieve their commercial potential.

DEVELOPMENT STAGE: Proven principle. Sample materials have been tested.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chao, Julie. “A Seaweed Derivative Could Be Just What Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Need,” Berkeley Lab News Center, June 13, 2017.

Ling, M., Zhang, L., Zheng, T., Guo, J., Mai, L., Liu, G. “Nucleophilic substitution between polysulfides and binders unexpectedly stabilizing lithium sulfur battery,” Nano Energy, 38, 82-90, 2017.

STATUS: Published PCT application PCT/US2017/015990 (publication WO2017136409). Available for licensing or collaborative research.

SEE THESE OTHER BERKELEY LAB TECHNOLOGIES IN THIS FIELD:

Nanostructured Sulfur Electrodes for Long Life Lithium Batteries, IB-3049

Conductive Binder for Lithium Ion Battery Electrode – IB-2643, IB-2643A, IB-3279